For anyone seeking to be immersed in the rich, stunning history of the East, Asian temples are a great place to start. Beautiful, inspiring structures made of stone or wood, these holy temples have drawn people from all walks of life seeking spiritual enlightenment and an experience unlike any other anywhere in the world. From the Todaiji Temple in Japan to the Temple of Heaven in China and the Takstang Monastery in Bhutan, there is no shortage of awe-inspiring temples to visit, and most are open for tours throughout the year. If Asian temple tours are on your bucket list, check out the questions and answers below to learn more.
Jacada Travel offers an exciting, tailor-made luxury travel tour where you'll see the ancient Angkor Wat temples, explorePhnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, and enjoy tropical islands like none you've ever seen before.
Taktsang Monastery in Bhutan is a stunning temple that is a must-see, and tours are available through bhutantourpackage.com, which allows you to see Tiger's Nest (Taktsang Monastery) in Paro with a guided hike and tour, along with an overnight stay in Paro.
Todaiji Temple is located in the ancient capital of Japan, Nara. Currently, Viator.com is offering a tour of the sacred city, where you'll enjoy seeing Todaji Temple, which is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan, along with Kasuga Shrine and a stop at Nara Park, which is home to over 1,000 free-roaming deer, for a not-to-be-missed tour of a lifetime!
Bagan is a city alive with a rich spiritual history, is home to several ancient temples. In fact the Bagan Archeological Zone has the densest concentration of Buddhist temples, ruins, stupa's and ruins around. Travel The Unknown offers several exciting tours through Myanmar, including through Bagan, so you can enjoy the sights and sounds of this sacred city while learning about the rich history.
Viator.com offers regular tours through Borobudur, a massive 8th-century temple and the largest Buddhist structure in the world. Borobudur consists of six platforms holding over 2,500 relief panels and roughly 500 Buddha statues, making this one of the most stunning and decorated temples anywhere. Tours start as low as $50 per person, or slightly more for a private tour.
Temple of Heaven is located in the beautiful city of Beijing, and Viator.com offers regular private tours of the city, visiting popular landmarks, such as Tiananmen Square, Temple of Heaven and the Forbidden City. Visitors will enjoy a flexible and tailored itenerary and have the full attention of their guide for the entire tour.
Luxury tours are available through Exo Travel, and include an intimate look at Buddhist culture, a visit to some of Thailand's most revered temples, including Wat Niwet Thammaprawat, Wat Mahathat and Wat Rong Khun, and a cruise down the majestic rivers of Chao Praya, mekong and Mae Ping.
When booking your tour at your favorite temples, always look for package deals that include hotel and airfare. In some cases, tours may be included in your package deal, as well.